Feeding Fit Families: 4 Benefits of Good Nutrition for Your Entire Family

As parents on the move, it is sometimes way too easy to settle for giving our families fast food or hastily made meals. The biggest problem with that approach is that it leads to poor nutrition. As a result, we often feel sluggish. Not only that, but we’ve all experienced the moodiness that comes from not eating properly. No thanks!

In contrast, taking the time to properly plan our family’s meals gives us, our spouses, and our kids the best nutrition possible. The result? We are able to have the type of healthy and happy family we want.

Here are 4 reasons why you should do whatever it takes to provide your family with the best nutrition you can:

1. Good nutrition leads to a greater sense of well-being.

Eating a diet that is low in nutrition is proven to reduce physical and mental health. For example, the Mental Health Foundation reports that approximately two-thirds of people who consistently eat fruit and veggies report no mental health issues. In contrast, those who do struggle with mental health problems typically eat less healthy foods. All of us can enjoy a greater sense of well-being by making sure that we eat lots of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates.

2. Good nutrition maintains our immune system.

We all hate when our kids are sick. We know that their immune system is their defense against disease, yet we often allow poor nutrition to negatively break down that defense. Maintaining a strong immune system requires an intake of proper vitamins and minerals. It’s simple, friends: making sure our families eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods will help support their healthy immune system.

3. Good nutrition gives us more energy.

As parents, one of the most frustrating things can be when our kids are sluggish and seemingly incapable of doing what we’ve asked them to do. It is at those times that we need to remember that their bodies get their energy from the foods and liquids they consume. The main nutrients their bodies use for energy are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Any deficiency in these areas, as well as a lack of hydration, will cause low energy levels, and, worst of all, high irritability.

4. Good nutrition is less expensive in the long run than unhealthy foods.

This may or may not shock you, but almost two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the heart disease, cancer, and diabetes that result from our poor eating habits cause an unnecessary $71 billion per year in medical costs. In short, it might sometimes cost a little more to eat well (although planning in advance can prevent this extra cost), but the long-term costs of a poor diet will be much worse.